At the moment in Portugal, Éderzito António Macedo Lopes, commonly known as Eder, is arguably the most popular man in football after Cristiano Ronaldo.
This is because his 109th minute goal against France on Sunday at the just-concluded Euro 2016 gave Portugal their first major title in years.
Eder, who came in as a substitute in the Euro final match on Sunday, scored the only goal and ensured his team beat France for the first time after over nine previous meetings.
Eder, who plays for Lille in France and also endured an unsuccessful loan spell at Swansea City, claimed Ronaldo acted as inspiration for his goal.
He told O Jogo that, “Ronaldo told me I would score the winning goal for the team.
“He gave me this strength, this energy and it was vital.
“It was a goal I have been working for from the first minute of the Euros.
“For all the work we did, for all of the Portuguese, it’s fantastic.”
He added that, “It’s well deserved and we should all be congratulated.”
Ronaldo was stretchered off the pitch in the first and he broke down in tears. However, Eder put a smile on his face again immediately after the referee blew his whistle to signal the end of the game.
